In an era where sustaining a small owner-operated design business that uses local labour (no sweatshops to see here, folks) and quality fabrics gets ever-more costly, Dace Moore continues creating some of the most well-crafted clothes to come out of our city.
But Moore acknowledges the challenge of doing so.
Manufacturing costs, in particular, have gone through the roof in recent years, Moore says. In Vancouver, it’s especially tough because of steep rents.
Many people have suggested she slice costs by shipping production overseas, but Moore has held firm to keeping production local, though it is a challenge financially.
Moore is known for creating well-made basics that move effortlessly from year-to-year.
She works mostly with solid fabrics, not prints – a move that started for practical purposes.
“I never used prints back in the day because we had to buy local, and I never wanted to have the same prints as anybody else,” Moore explains.
Now she avoids using a lot of prints because she wants women to be able to keep her chic, minimalist pieces in their closets for years to come.
“Prints get old fast,” says Moore, whose first job in the industry was as a designer at streetwear outfit United Snow and Skate.
These days those solids define her clothes, giving a sophistication and simplicity that appeals to women of all ages. But what really makes her clothes special is the way they feel. A particularly popular trouser – aptly called Magic – is a perennial favourite because of its flattering fit.
“I usually do a lot of repeats for each season because that’s what sells,” Moore explains from her spacious and bright Hastings Street studio on a sunny afternoon.
But she also designs new pieces, which are often inspired by whatever she is into at the moment. For example, spring 2013 was all about Japanese cotton button-up shirts, because she was breastfeeding at the time.
There are other standouts in the 2015 spring collection, including the Magic pant paired with the Maxine tank – an all-black slimming look; the striped marine blue and white Logan sweatshirt with the mid-length brûlée-coloured Piper skirt; and the loose-fitting denim Bernie jumpsuit. Another gem includes the all-white Nicolette jumpsuit, though it remains to be seen if that one (my personal favourite) will go into production.
Spring styles are yet-to-arrive, though be on the lookout at Dace’s website, for the latest looks. Also at Dace’s studio, located at 725 East Hastings,
Sunja Link is selling her curated vintage and design pieces. Link and Moore recently launched their collaboration, called The Workshop, which functions as a storefront and workshop for the twosome.
Anyone looking to add some quality, ethically made threads to their closet for spring, needs to take a peek at the Dace collection. Locally, Dace is available at The Block, Eugene Choo, Oliver and Lilly’s, Charlie and Lee, as well as the Dace online store.
